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Thursday, December 12, 2024

Chinese nationals charged with operating illegal marijuana farms in south Georgia

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United States Attorney Jill E. Steinberg | U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Jill E. Steinberg | U.S. Department of Justice

Eight Chinese nationals have been indicted on felony charges related to large-scale marijuana cultivation operations in rural south Georgia. The indictment, announced by Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, includes charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute over 1,000 marijuana plants.

The penalties for these charges are severe, carrying a minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment, along with fines reaching $10 million and at least five years of supervised release after any prison term. Federal convictions do not allow for parole.

U.S. Attorney Steinberg commented on the investigation: “This investigation alleges the discovery of a massive clandestine operation illegally growing marijuana on two locations hidden in plain sight. Our exceptional law enforcement partners identified these illicit operations and are working to hold these defendants accountable.”

The investigation uncovered two significant indoor marijuana growing facilities located on tracts of land in Pierce and Brantley Counties. The individuals indicted in the case, known as USA v. Huang et al., are all Chinese nationals: Hiawen Huang (54), Yim Hung Yuen (61), Chen Hui Shu (35), Jen Peng Ma (34), Zhu Sheng Bing (64), Wei Sheng Deng (42), Lecai Huang (67), and Zhi Yong Ma (52).

In addition to drug-related charges, Shu, Ma, Bing, and Deng face accusations of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Similarly, Lecai Huang and Zhi Yong Ma face separate firearm possession charges linked to drug trafficking activities.

Authorities believe that Hiawen Huang and Yim Hung Yuen have left the United States. The other defendants have appeared in U.S. Magistrate Court for initial hearings and await further proceedings.

It is important to note that criminal indictments contain only charges; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was initiated by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and involved investigations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia G. Rhodes and Darron J. Hubbard are prosecuting the case for the United States.

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